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Well he came through it just great. Friday was our first chemotherapy session, and as I write this on Saturday night, he’s suffered no severe side effects. They told us that usually, side effects begin to manifest 48 or so hours afterwards, so we’ll see how Sunday and Monday go.

We dragged it out at 4:30 a.m. on Friday, hit the road by 5:45, and pulled into valet parking at the cancer center at 7:00 for a 7:15 appointment. We got him all checked in and wired up, visited the vampires, then reported upstairs for the consult with the oncologist.

I have to tell you, Dr. Velcheti is a cool guy, and we’re fortunate to have been referred to him by the attending physician during Michael’s hospital stay. He gives us all the time we need to ask questions, and his answers are never rushed or over-complicated or flippant. He listens, takes his time, and appears to be singularly dedicated to finding the best targeted treatment for the patient. I like that, and I like him. Although there are many talented oncologists out there, we feel we won the lottery with ours.

After the consultation, we hoofed it across the hall to get the chemo started.

The treatment rooms are quiet and private, sharing only a bathroom for every two rooms. After getting situated, he munched on some snacks and enjoyed the beautiful view. When the nurse came in and hooked up the medicine, I felt a definite sense of arrival; of peaceful relief. We’d been waiting for this moment since the 31st of May, and now it had come to pass. We’re finally on the road to controlling this hideous, mad disease.

After going through training with the doctor’s nurse about what to expect, when to call, how to handle symptoms, what to eat, what’s available to us, etc., the second round of medication began. (His specific cocktail is pemetrexedmixed with carboplatin.) After about 90 minutes in the chair, it was all over with.

My son texted me and asked how he was doing, and I sent him this picture. The response: “That is a brave man right there.”

13 Comments

So happy to hear that the regime of fighting back is underway!
Praying for no side affects, the strength of a bear for Thiller and the patience of an angel for you Ms Fink. Wait…what am I saying you always had that right? Right…right?

Thank you, dear friends! It’s 6:30 a.m. right now, and we met in the kitchen as I was making coffee and he was making his way to the men’s. He said he got a really good throat clearing around 4:30 this morning, and slept pretty well. Let’s hope it continues! <3

That’s so great to hear. I remember a friend’s husband being told by Kaiser Permanente doctors that if he experienced any side effects from chemo for his non Hodgkin’s to go eat a Big Mac. Completely counter-intuitive but it worked for him. Anyway I wish the Thriller continued success.